title
CITY COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS TO THE CULTURAL HERITAGE BOARD
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution appointing Debbie Hernandez, Wesley Swanson and Robert Holzer to the Cultural Heritage Board for terms effective immediately and ending on December 31, 2017.
body
Summary
There are currently three vacancies on the Cultural Heritage Board, due to the expiration of the terms of current members Debbie Hernandez, Wesley Swanson and Robert Holzer, on October 31, 2013. Fifteen valid applications were received to fill the three positions but only four applicants were present for interviews by the Planning Commission, at its regularly-scheduled meeting of November 14, 2013. Following the interview process, the Planning Commission voted to recommend that the City Council appoint Debbie Hernandez, Wesley Swanson and Robert Holzer to the Cultural Heritage Board to serve four-year terms that will expire on December 31, 2017.
DISCUSSION
Background
The Cultural Heritage Board is a nine-member citizen advisory body to the Planning Commission and is charged with the preservation and promotion of the City's historical, architectural and cultural resources. In accordance with the provisions of Development Code Section 16.220.040, members of the Cultural Heritage Board, who must be residents of the City, are interviewed, selected and recommended for appointment by the Planning Commission. The City Council is the approval authority for the Board and members serve staggered four-year terms of office. Vacant positions are filled when the members' terms expire, generally on October 31, or in the event that a board member resigns before the end of a term.
It is the responsibility of the Cultural Heritage Board to evaluate and make recommendations on matters pertaining to historic landmarks, historic sites, historic districts, award of excellence and certificates of appropriateness for proposed alterations to landmarks and properties in historic districts. The Board also presents the annual Captain Charles M. Weber Award, the Glenn Allen Award, oversees the activities of the Magnolia Historic District Advisory Committee and advises City officials on matters pertaining to the preservation of cultural and historical resources.
Members of the Cultural Heritage Board meet on the first Wednesday of every month in City Hall, on an as-needed basis and handle a number of activities during the month at the committee level. Individual members also attend meetings of other organizations on behalf of the Cultural Heritage Board.
Present Situation
There are currently three vacancies on the Cultural Heritage Board, due to the expiration of the terms of Debbie Hernandez, Wesley Swanson and Robert Holzer, which expired on October 31, 2013.
Fifteen valid applications were received to fill the three positions, but only four applicants were present for interviews by the Planning Commission, at its regularly-scheduled meeting of November 14, 2013. Following the interview process, the Planning Commission voted to recommend that the City Council appoint Debbie Hernandez, Wesley Swanson and Robert Holzer to the Cultural Heritage Board to serve four-year terms that will expire on December 31, 2017 (Attachment A-Applications for Recommended Appointments).
Therefore, staff recommends that the City Council accept the Planning Commission's recommendation and appoint Debbie Hernandez, Wesley Swanson and Robert Holzer to the Cultural Heritage Board to serve four year terms ending on December 31, 2017.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
Members of the Cultural Heritage Board receive no remuneration, so there is no financial impact to the City for this action.
Attachment A - Applications for Recommended Appointments